Taylor County, Kentucky

Last updated

Taylor County
Clay Hill near Campbellsville, entrance closeup.jpg
Entrance to Clay Hill, located along Kentucky Route 289.
Map of Kentucky highlighting Taylor County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Kentucky in United States.svg
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°22′N85°20′W / 37.37°N 85.33°W / 37.37; -85.33
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Kentucky.svg  Kentucky
Founded1848
Named for Zachary Taylor
Seat Campbellsville
Largest cityCampbellsville
Area
  Total277 sq mi (720 km2)
  Land266 sq mi (690 km2)
  Water10 sq mi (30 km2)  3.8%
Population
 (2020)
  Total26,023
  Estimate 
(2023)
26,443 Increase2.svg
  Density94/sq mi (36/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
  Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 1st
Website www.taylorcounty.us

Taylor County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 26,023. [1] Its county seat is Campbellsville. [2] Settled by people from Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and North Carolina after the American Revolutionary War, the county was organized in 1848 in the Highland Rim region. It is named for United States Army General Zachary Taylor, later President of the United States. [3] Taylor County was the 100th of the 120 counties created by Kentucky. The Campbellsville Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Taylor County.

Contents

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 277 square miles (720 km2), of which 266 square miles (690 km2) is land and 10 square miles (26 km2) (3.8%) is water. [4]

Taylor County has a geographic boundary shaped like a heart, and also claims to be the geographic center of Kentucky. [5] It includes a fabled center marker of Kentucky, a U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey magnetic station marker placed in Taylor County circa 1916 which in time since has been regarded by citizens as the geodetic center of the state. Information on this marker is currently not available in federal databases. The claim to the geographic center of Kentucky is disputed by surrounding counties [6] in part due to the planar methods [7] used to initially determine the geographic centers of the states.

The American Civil War skirmish, The Battle of Tebbs Bend, was fought in Taylor County.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1850 7,251
1860 7,4813.2%
1870 8,22610.0%
1880 9,25912.6%
1890 9,3531.0%
1900 11,07518.4%
1910 11,9618.0%
1920 12,2362.3%
1930 12,047−1.5%
1940 13,55612.5%
1950 14,4036.2%
1960 16,28513.1%
1970 17,1385.2%
1980 21,17823.6%
1990 21,146−0.2%
2000 22,9278.4%
2010 24,5126.9%
2020 26,0236.2%
2023 (est.)26,443 [8] 1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census [9]
1790-1960 [10] 1900-1990 [11]
1990-2000 [12] 2010-2020 [1]

As of the census of 2000, there were 22,927 people, 9,233 households, and 6,555 families residing in the county. The population density was 85 per square mile (33/km2). There were 10,180 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile (15/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.62% White, 5.06% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. 0.82% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 9,233 households, out of which 30.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.40% were married couples living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 26.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.40% under the age of 18, 10.40% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,089, and the median income for a family was $33,854. Males had a median income of $26,633 versus $20,480 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,162. About 14.20% of families and 17.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.70% of those under age 18 and 18.30% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City

Unincorporated Communities

Politics

Taylor County is represented in the Kentucky House of Representatives by Republican Sarge Pollock and in the state Senate by another Republican, Max Wise. In 2019, Republican Barry Smith took office as county judge. Smith unseated the Democrat Eddie Rogers in the general election held on November 6, 2018.

United States presidential election results for Taylor County, Kentucky [13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.%No.%No.%
2024 9,52377.70%2,57621.02%1571.28%
2020 9,37674.91%2,96323.67%1781.42%
2016 8,32073.59%2,55322.58%4333.83%
2012 7,55168.96%3,28530.00%1141.04%
2008 7,56869.69%3,16529.14%1271.17%
2004 7,24770.39%2,97928.94%690.67%
2000 6,15167.96%2,79030.83%1101.22%
1996 4,57354.87%2,89734.76%86510.38%
1992 4,31948.42%3,51839.44%1,08312.14%
1988 5,36264.76%2,87934.77%390.47%
1984 5,93264.16%3,28635.54%270.29%
1980 4,24354.62%3,40043.77%1251.61%
1976 3,33748.60%3,45650.33%731.06%
1972 4,03567.79%1,85931.23%580.97%
1968 3,03250.88%1,36722.94%1,56026.18%
1964 2,59445.44%3,08253.98%330.58%
1960 4,66968.11%2,18631.89%00.00%
1956 3,89261.37%2,43338.36%170.27%
1952 3,12655.90%2,43943.62%270.48%
1948 2,08744.79%2,41551.82%1583.39%
1944 2,62251.05%2,47548.19%390.76%
1940 2,79249.80%2,79049.77%240.43%
1936 2,73849.87%2,73249.76%200.36%
1932 2,59247.52%2,82351.76%390.72%
1928 3,14965.05%1,68434.79%80.17%
1924 2,26752.09%2,05247.15%330.76%
1920 2,49350.90%2,38048.59%250.51%
1916 1,33249.04%1,36050.07%240.88%
1912 46818.86%1,15046.35%86334.78%

Education

School districts include: [14]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Washington County, Kentucky</span> County in Kentucky, United States

Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,027. Its county seat is Springfield. The county is named for George Washington. Washington County was the first county formed in the Commonwealth of Kentucky when it reached statehood, and the sixteenth county formed. The center of population of Kentucky is located in Washington County, in the city of Willisburg. The county is dry, meaning that the sale of alcohol is prohibited, but it contains the "wet" city of Springfield, where retail alcohol sales are allowed. This classifies the jurisdiction as a moist county. Three wineries operate in the county and are licensed separately to sell to the public. Jacob Beam, founder of Jim Beam whiskey, sold his first barrel of whiskey in Washington County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rockcastle County, Kentucky</span> County in Kentucky, United States

Rockcastle County is a county located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,037. Its county seat is Mt. Vernon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pulaski County, Kentucky</span> County in Kentucky, United States

Pulaski County is a county in the U.S. Commonwealth of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 65,034. Its county seat is Somerset. The county was founded in December 1798 from land given by Lincoln and Green Counties and named for Polish patriot Count Casimir Pulaski. Pulaski County comprises the Somerset, KY Micropolitan Statistical Area. Somerset's population is just over 11,000, but the Micropolitan Area for Somerset/Pulaski County is over 65,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercer County, Kentucky</span> County in Kentucky, United States

Mercer County is a county located in the central part of the U.S. Commonwealth of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 23,772. Its county seat is Harrodsburg. The county was formed from Lincoln County, Virginia in 1785 and is named for Revolutionary War General Hugh Mercer, who was killed at the Battle of Princeton in 1777. It was formerly a prohibition or dry county.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marion County, Kentucky</span> County in Kentucky, United States

Marion County is a county in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the total population was 19,581. Its county seat is Lebanon. The county was founded in 1834 and named for Francis Marion, the American Revolutionary War hero known as the "Swamp Fox".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laurel County, Kentucky</span> County in Kentucky, United States

Laurel County is a county located in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 62,613. Its county seat is London. After a special election in January 2016 alcohol sales are permitted only in the city limits of London. The ordinance went into effect on March 27, 2016, 60 days after results of the election. Laurel County is included in the London, KY Micropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Floyd County, Kentucky</span> County in Kentucky, United States

Floyd County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 35,942. Its county seat is Prestonsburg. The county, founded in 1800, is named for Colonel John Floyd (1750–1783).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caldwell County, Kentucky</span> County in Kentucky, United States

Caldwell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,649. Its county seat is Princeton. The county was formed in 1809 from Livingston County, Kentucky and named for John Caldwell, who participated in the George Rogers Clark Indian Campaign of 1786 and was the second lieutenant governor of Kentucky. Caldwell was a prohibition or dry county until 2013, when the citizens voted to lift the ban.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saline County, Arkansas</span> County in Arkansas, United States

Saline County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 123,416. Its county seat and largest city is Benton. Saline County was formed on November 2, 1835, and named for the salt water (brine) springs in the area, despite a differing pronunciation from saline. Until November 2014, it was an alcohol prohibition or dry county.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lafayette County, Arkansas</span> County in Arkansas, United States

Lafayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,308, making it the third-least populous county in Arkansas. The county seat is Lewisville. Lafayette County was formed on October 15, 1827, and named in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette, a French military hero of the American Revolutionary War. It is a dry county; therefore, the sale of alcohol is prohibited.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brownsville, Kentucky</span> City in Kentucky, United States

Brownsville is a home rule-class city in Edmonson County, Kentucky, in the United States. It is the county seat and is a certified Kentucky Trail Town. The population was 836 at the time of the 2010 census, down from 921 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Bowling Green metropolitan area. It is just outside Mammoth Cave National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irvine, Kentucky</span> City in Kentucky, United States

Irvine is a home rule-class city in Estill County, Kentucky, in the United States. It is the seat of its county. Its population was 2,715 at the time of the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plantation, Kentucky</span> City in Kentucky, United States

Plantation is a home rule-class city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States, and a part of the Louisville Metro government. The population was 832 at the 2010 census, down from 902 at the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erlanger, Kentucky</span> City in Kentucky, United States

Erlanger is a home rule-class city in Kenton County, Kentucky, United States. It had a 2020 census population of 19,611. Erlanger is part of the Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lakeside Park, Kentucky</span> City in Kentucky, United States

Lakeside Park is a home rule-class city in Kenton County, Kentucky, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a total population of 2,841. It is a suburb in the Cincinnati metropolitan area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taylor Mill, Kentucky</span> City in Kentucky, United States

Taylor Mill is a home rule-class city in Kenton County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 6,873 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Campbellsville, Kentucky</span> City in Kentucky, United States

Campbellsville is a city in central Kentucky founded in 1817 by Andrew Campbell. It is known for Campbellsville University, Taylor Regional Hospital health care system, its historic downtown, and the proximity to Green River Lake State Park. Campbellsville is the county seat of Taylor County which has a geographic boundary shaped like a heart. Campbellsville celebrated its bicentennial on July 4, 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brimhall Nizhoni, New Mexico</span> Census-designated place in McKinley County, New Mexico, United States

Brimhall Nizhoni is a census-designated place (CDP) in McKinley County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 199 at the 2010 census. The Navajo Coyote Canyon Chapter House is located in Brimhall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erie, North Dakota</span> Census-designated place in North Dakota, United States

Erie is a census-designated place (CDP) in Cass County, North Dakota, United States. The population was 50 at the 2010 census. Established in or after 1980 by the United States Census Bureau, the CDP is named for the village of Erie, which is within its boundary. Although the rectangular boundary includes a sizeable amount of farmland, there is in fact only one residence outside the village's boundary but within that of the CDP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walton, Kentucky</span> City in Kentucky, United States

Walton is a home rule-class city in Boone and Kenton counties in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The population was 5,460 at the 2020 census.

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1. Kentucky State Historical Society. 1903. pp.  37.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  5. "Geographic Center of Kentucky". www.kyatlas.com. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  6. "Geographic Center of Kentucky". www.kyatlas.com. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  7. Boundaries, areas, geographic centers and altitudes of the United States and the several States with a brief record of important changes in their territory (Report). US Geological Survey. 1923.
  8. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  13. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
  14. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Taylor County, KY" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 26, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022. - Text list - For more detailed boundaries of the independent school districts see: "Appendix B: Maps Of Independent School Districts In Operation In FY 2014-FY 2015 Using 2005 Tax District Boundaries – Campbellsville ISD" (PDF). Research Report No. 415 – Kentucky's Independent School Districts: A Primer. Frankfort, KY: Office of Education Accountability, Legislative Research Commission. September 15, 2015. p. 96 (PDF p. 110/174). Archived (PDF) from the original on December 10, 2020.

37°22′N85°20′W / 37.37°N 85.33°W / 37.37; -85.33